Protection | Hwang In-Ho x Reader

Mingle

The third game will begin momentarily. All players, please get out of bed and get ready. Let me repeat...

You groan and rub your eyes, squinting as you struggle to adjust to the brightness. As you sit up slightly, you notice your jacket at the end of your mattress, as well as the fact you had two blankets instead of one.

"You're awake."

You look over, seeing Young-il sitting beside your mattress. He searches your features for any signs of discomfort. Any signs of pain.

"How are you feeling?"

"Fine" you respond with a slight laugh. "I don't really remember much, if I'm honest."

"Young-il here resuscitated you!" Jung-bae says. "He didn't waste a second! Bossing us all around, making sure you got everything you needed."

"Is that so?" You ask him, smirking as you turn to Young-il. "I think someone's going soft on me."

"I am not" Young-il says sternly. "Shut up."

You laugh as you get out of bed, shivering slightly at the sudden cool air. Young-il grabs your jacket, standing and putting it on you. You cock a brow.

"You know, I'm not dying anymore" you remind him. "I can put on my own jacket."

"Just making sure you remembered it" he states. "Come on, let's go to the next game."

As he goes to walk away, you catch his wrist, grabbing his attention once more.

"Thank you," you say. "Genuinely. For saving my life. I owe you."

"You don't owe me" he responds, gesturing for you to follow him. You turn around, making sure Jun-hee was okay. She catches up to walk beside you.

"Are you okay?" She asks you. "You scared me."

"I'm fine, I promise" you smile. "Are you okay, though? How are you holding up?"

"I'm good" she says.

"Just hold out a little longer," you tell her. "You'll survive this game and get out of here. I'm sure of it."

——

All the players walk along the staircase towards the game. You were in front of Young-il, your hands hiding once again beneath the sleeves of the jacket he had given you.

You spot above you, seeing Young-mi's group. She smiles and waves down to you, making you quickly wave back. As you reach the game hall, the curtains open and you enter into a huge circus-like room.

"Holy shit" you mumble quietly.

Welcome to your third game. The game you will be playing is mingle. Let me repeat. The game you will be playing is mingle.

"Mingle?" You ask, turning to Young-il. "Whats that? Have you ever played."

"I'm good at the game" he tells you quietly. "Stay close to me, okay?"

"What do you mean, stay close?"

All players, please step onto the centre platform. When the game starts, the platform will begin to rotate, and you will hear a number. You must form groups of that size, go into the rooms, and close the door within 30 seconds.

Your face drops. Forming groups with limited time. Not only that, but reaching a door. Every 30 seconds could be your last.

"Oh, this game?" Jung-bae says. "We used to play something similar on school trips. We formed groups by hugging."